Dear friends, I ask this question full of hopes that you've already had a chance to read some of my previous stories. And to move forward - still focused on the main topic as Poland, in order to provide content that serves your needs, I'd like to learn more about your interests, opinions or doubts. I also count on all of you who visited Kraków for Steem Fest 2018, just nearly 3 months ago, to share your precious experience and leave a comment below.
As an extra background to my question above, I will tell you a short story about Poland seen through the noise of rumours and stereotypes. Keep reading and enjoy!
The notion of a "mind's eye"
Nothing surprising nor wrong but the reality and opinions could vary from one person to another. Indeed, we all grew in different cultures, keep our unique experiences, and what's the most important, each as the independent human being - we all see the world from a little bit personally-dependent angle. In case of Poland, as called before 'the unknown country located somewhere in Central Eastern Europe (though it is its ninth biggest state) - many common opinions and views are full of prejudices, jokes and old stereotypes.
Still with me? Cool! Let's start with the most popular among all.
#1: Drinking culture and hospitality.
“Gość w dom, Bóg w dom” (pl.) i.e. 'Guest in-house brings God to the house' (eng.) as one of the popular sayings goes. Thus, you can expect that hospitality is the holy duty of every Polish host. And once invited to the Polish house, be prepared to get overwhelmed by loads of food, with almost the full spectrum of the local cuisine. And seriously, doesn’t matter that you are not able to eat anymore - still, you may hear a comment like 'taste a bit more / one small piece the very last one' etc. Also, sure just after a three-course meal, it really should not surprise you to be offered plenty of sweets, usually pastries and homemade cakes. Of course - same as before, it will be followed by that host-encouraging comment as 'just try some more, the very last bite'.
So as you could imagine, most of such visits could be pretty intense, and, sure sometimes they could also freak you out. Personally even myself, just after visiting my family I need a few days to feel light again, and get rid of that 'overwhelming overeating state'. 🤪
What is more, in some houses - especially when invited for dinner, you can expect to be offered some strong alcohol too. For example 'nalewka' (pl.) so kind of a liqueur or cordial, and sometimes vodka in shots. Here contrary to eating at least, accepting it is not obligatory, but if you don’t drink with your host better explain the reason why. Avoiding a drink with no reason could be seen as an unwillingness to make closer friends. Means bad.
But wait. It may sound a little bit tough, right? So now: is it that whole hospitality-thing a real case that happens or just a stereotype?
Well, in more than 50% (and unfortunately for those who are trying to be fit) it is true.
Dining in a polish house is usually more than generous. So yes you can, indeed, expect loads of food, mostly homemade, followed by an extraordinary care so that you really try everything served.
So, how to survive? And one could think now that the answer is easy "better always when happens, simply just to turn down the invitation". But no, no, please do not do that. Believe me or not, but that could have been a big loss. Attending a Polish party or a dinner is definitely an experience, and a very great opportunity to make friends of a lifetime.
Thus, use your chance, have fun, and be prepared for a one-night feast run just for you.
Smacznego & na zdrowie, everyone!
PS. Next part to come...